EVENTS

Telling a writer to write without fear is like telling a human to breathe without oxygen. It’s impossible to do and why would you want to? Fear is a natural part of the creative process. Instead of fighting it, work with it. Through stories, mindfulness, and free-writing, you will discover simple, realistic ways to face your fear, get to know it, and use it propel your writing, rather than hinder it. With fear on your side, there’s nothing stopping you from being the writer you want to be.

Peg Cheng writes novels for kids and adults at an old desk in a tall house in a quaint fishing village run by condo overlords. Peg encounters Fear every time she writes but after years of trying to avoid it, she now brings it a sandwich and lets it ride in the backseat. In case you haven’t guessed it yet, Peg lives in and writes from Ballard.

Telling a writer to write without fear is like telling a human to breathe without oxygen. It’s impossible to do and why would you want to? Fear is a natural part of the creative process. Instead of fighting it, work with it. Through stories, mindfulness, and free-writing, you will discover simple, realistic ways to face your fear, get to know it, and use it propel your writing, rather than hinder it. With fear on your side, there’s nothing stopping you from being the writer you want to be.

Peg Cheng writes novels for kids and adults at an old desk in a tall house in a quaint fishing village run by condo overlords. Peg encounters Fear every time she writes but after years of trying to avoid it, she now brings it a sandwich and lets it ride in the backseat. In case you haven’t guessed it yet, Peg lives in and writes from Ballard.

Join artist-storytellers Peg and Marcus at their Poetry Makerspace Workshop and see for yourself how easy and awesome it is to write poetry and create art at the same time.

Surrounded by beautiful art in Eighth Generation’s Busted Knuckle Gallery at Pike Place Market, you will learn step-by-step how to create a poem and piece of art using found text, colorful inks, post-it notes, postage stamps, and more. Your finished art piece will be matted and ready to frame. Keep it for yourself or gift it to someone special. No experience necessary. All materials are provided.

Requirements: You’re between the ages of 12 to 102, and you want to create something.

Writing can be a lonely and scary art form. Facing the blank page day after day requires courage and tenacity. Still, writers don’t give themselves enough credit for the challenging emotional and intellectual work they do time and time again, and instead, they often criticize themselves for not writing enough or for not writing better.

This is why the Writers Wellness Retreat was created. It’s a day for like-minded writers to come together and reclaim or begin a practice of self-care for greater creativity and productivity.

Through meditation, use the power of breath to practice mindfulness. Through guided writing exercises, discover your innermost desires and purpose as a writer. Through qigong, move your body to promote relaxation, intuition, and greater flow of energy. Through sharing stories, gain perspective and enjoy camaraderie with fellow writers. Experience all of this at Embrace the Moon, a healing and beautiful space.

Refreshments, tea, and self-care goody bags will be provided. Lunch is on your own at one of Ballard’s many restaurants or you can bring your lunch.